Big Bang
Chapter 20 of 24
Rose of the WestDisclaimer: The characters here and the world they inhabit are the creation and property of JK Rowling and her assigns.
Hermione could tell that Severus had something he wanted to discuss with her soon. She was sure she knew what it was. There was a tense day or two when Mrs. Tonks was sick, and the only contact from Severus was a terse owl to stay away from the cottage. The note told her that he would send for her in a few days when he could arrange time for them to talk without interruption.
Ron glowered when she mentioned Severus at Grimmauld Place, while Harry sighed and looked bored. It didn't matter. They were just her childhood friends anyway. If they couldn't be happy for her, she would simply have to make new friends... or do without. Severus was the important thing.
After four days of waiting an owl came. She read the note and crowed to Harry and Ron. “See? He wants to see me today. There are important things he wants to discuss, he says. It's all going to happen!”
She looked up to see Ron walking down the hallway toward the stairs.
“Is there a problem?” she asked.
“What do you think?” rejoined Harry. “He loves you, Hermione. He can't turn it on and off like you apparently can.”
“I thought he would be happy for me.”
“He wants to be happy for you, Hermione, but the way you've flaunted this thing around... you've crushed his heart. It's a little hard to take.” Harry got up and left the kitchen table. “For that matter, it's a little hard to watch, too.”
It didn't matter. She could be happy without Ron or even Harry in her life if need be. She got up and put her dishes in the sink and went up to her bedroom. On the way she almost knocked on the door of Ron's bedroom, but she heard something suspiciously like a sniffle and whatever it was stopped her.
Andromeda was bustling around her kitchen as usual. Hermione came through and smiled at little Teddy, who sat on a rug and banged an old cauldron with a wooden spoon. The mistress of the house looked up from hands buried in bread dough and smiled. “Hermione, you look lovely in that frock.”
“Severus said he wanted to see me,” Hermione said importantly.
“Yes,” said Andromeda, “he told me you would be coming. He's out in the grove near the pond. I made you a bit of a lunch,” she added, nodding toward a tray on the kitchen table. “Why don't you take it out there and enjoy it while you talk?”
Hermione's heart burst with this kindness. At least one person understood how perfect this moment should be. She impulsively hugged the shorter witch. “Oh, thank you! I hope we'll always be friends.”
Andromeda looked at her a little oddly. “I hope that too, dear.”
Smiling brightly, she walked out the door and around the pond until she found him. He was sitting on a blanket under an apple tree, which was just starting to bud. “You wanted to see me?” she asked, setting the tray down. She busied herself with sandwiches and napkins.
“Yes, I wanted to talk to you. There are a few things we need to discuss.” She was kneeling on the blanket he sat on, and now she stopped moving. Her hands were folded in her lap as she looked at him in anticipation.
“Oh?”
He waved to the food. “Eat first, serious conversations later. Have you ever seen a prettier spring day?”
She looked around the garden, trying to see what he saw. The herb garden was in pristine condition. She knew that both he and Andromeda enjoyed keeping it neat. The flowering trees were all in some stage of bloom. The sky was bright for once and the grass was soft and green. “It is lovely,” she admitted.
“I don't think I've ever seen a better spring. Part of it has to be the end of the war, but I think part of it is Andromeda's work.”
She looked around again. “Yes, Mrs. Tonks seems very efficient. I think she was making bread when I came through the house. This home is lovely, and I hope we shall visit often.”
“She's done a very good job at tending to me this past year. I might have recovered anywhere, but she made sure I would thrive. She did what was necessary to heal my injuries, and she provided the means to heal my other hurts as well.”
Hermione smiled. “We owe a great deal to her.”
“She also did much to help me re-enter the world around us. She was the first friend of my new life and she re-introduced me to everyone else. I can't help noticing that she has been good for her nephew, and even for you.”
“I quite look upon her as another mother.”
“I'm glad to hear that.” He smiled fondly. Then he frowned and took a deep breath. “Perhaps I should have been more clear about the true state of things for a while, now.” He put down his half-eaten sandwich and touched her hand. Here it comes, she thought, I think I'm going to die of happiness. “Hermione, I'm not visiting here. I'm going to live here from now on.” He looked around himself. “And I'm going to live,” he added under his breath.
She looked at him and kept chewing, sure that she simply didn't understand what he was saying. Nevertheless, a gulp of lemonade might keep the chicken salad from becoming sawdust. Surely the next sentence would explain it all. Her mind raced through possibilities. Mrs. Tonks had been sick lately. Maybe it was something life threatening. Maybe he was going to stay until she was truly better.
“Andromeda is pregnant, Hermione...”
She forced herself to swallow, although the muscles in her throat wanted to do something else. There was a definite implication, but a small window of possibility that he was just staying here to help Andromeda through what must surely be a difficult time. Her mind quickly decided that Severus was just being nice to a friend. Yes, that must be it. Mrs. Tonks had helped him get better and now he would help Mrs. Tonks. He was discussing it with her as his future—
She was so busy inventing a different meaning from the one she feared that she almost didn't hear him finish: “...with your half brother or sister.”
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Latest 25 Reviews for Stars are Blind
60 Reviews | 5.77/10 Average
Go Lucius! You shut that bitch up haha. Still can't believe she was seriously talking about murdering the baby! But I suppose she would have thought about it and thought against such an abonimable thought, right? Especially since she wants another baby so much herself. Hope she gets considerably busy with her own life very soon! Because she needs it!! I shudder at what a daughter would have to put up with from her though, or maybe she would soften with her own daughter, who knows? Let me guess, Hermione has decided to go get comfort from Viktor Krum cos she's feeling rejected and is craving attention haha, and who is the person who Draco recognised and bothered him... Curious! Hoping for a longer chapter next :P
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thanks for the review!Very clever suppositions! Yeah, Narcissa needs something to keep her busy. Lucius will try to fill that gap as well as he can, LOL!
If this is how the Malfoys take the news, I can hardly imagine how the rest of the wizarding world will react. I'm unsettled by Narcissa's belief in her ability to reverse the situation, but at least Lucius and Draco seem somewhat accepting. I look forward to the next chapter as soon as possible. Thanks!
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Yeah, Narcissa is quite a piece of work.I think she's got an uphill battle now, though. Thank you for the review!
Hi, I just discovered that there is this sequel. What a unique thought of linking Severus with Andromeda! It works really well here--good job!This chapter: Severus now sees first-hand what it means to raise a baby. He surely realises that he had been in no position to raise his daughter adequately 19y back. I actually wonder how seriously he was asking for her--had he even thought it through?? Most boys that age wouldn't, and he definitely wasn't overly mature but seeking recognition among all the wrong people! Nevertheless, Hermione is going to need some time and someone who listens and moderates carefully. Could that be Molly perhaps? Looking forward to another chapter!
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Excellent points, all! I don't think young Severus worried about what to do with a baby other than what he hoped it would get him. So yeah, not thinking it through, for sure. And yes, Hermione needs to find herself some good advice. The question is whether she'll actually find it or follow it. Thanks for the review!
How many people know of her affection for Severus? Poor girl will have some heavy humiliation to deal with if the public are aware, hopefully not too much though. I hope her attitude improves a lot!
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
I don't think her feelings were too obvious to anyone outside the family, and Severus completely misread them. By not actually having her tell Severus what she thought, she gets to save face, but the fact that Andromeda has tried to be so helpful, through her own ignorance, is going to be a sore spot. Or maybe I've really balled this up. We'll see. ;)Thank you for the review!
Man is she a little shithead! "some lovesisck mortal" but I guess she is terribly confused regarding her affections and probably feeling a bit disgusted at the same time! hahaha I do feel sorry for her, but she's still been a bit of an annoying idiot the whole time anyway thoughout this story. Looking forward to what comes next :)
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
It was meant to show that she's a bit enamoured with something she's constructed in her mind rather than what he reallly is. She's just turrned 19, by my calculations, and her growing up got interrupted, so now she has to catch up. She'll be ok, though.Thank you for the reveiw!
Poor Hermione! Narcissa is to blame too, of course, she could have guessed something earlier, having known all the pertinent people, and maybe Hermione would not have acknowledged her feelings. Do you pair her with Tim, I wonder?
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Yes, a lot of people should have known better. Hermione hasn't quite made a fool of herself to Severus, but she suspects a lot of people will be laughing at her, now, and that's going to be unbearable. Tim would be an interesting pairing, for sure. We'll have to see how things progress.
Wow! I just spent a few very enjoyable hours catching up with this story. If you are going where I guess you are it will get even more exciting. I really like how you bring a minor character to life, thank you! Your Andromeda is a remarkable woman.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you! I love Andromeda myself, because I love her husband and daughter, and she must have had some amazing internal resources to survive everything.
Yayyy! So excited! I hear what Joan is saying about Andromeda's problem with Sev/Hermione dragging out a bit, but it looks as though things will turn around very soon! Don't stop updating pleeease xx
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you for the review! I'm afraid I dug a bit of a hole in this one, but hopefully it's going to work out soon.
I have spent the better part of two days reading The Life and Times of Perseus and this story so far. What an enjoyable time it has been! I've not read other stories about Andromeda and Ted so your stories are wonderfully filling that void for me. At this point I'm somewhat frustrated that Andromeda can't just tell Severus that Cissy told her he would marry Hermione. It seems as though there is quite an ongoing, long-standing miscommunication that, from my perspective, is beginning to drag this story out. But I am thankful for your recent update, and I hope you will continue to update regularly. Thanks for yor beautiful work!
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
In a nutshell you're describing the reasons why this story went on hiatus, LOL Hopefully the next few chapters will pull things out of the doldrums. Thank you for your honesty, and for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it.
Oh my, another great twist! I'm so looking forward for more!
What a patchwork family!
Hmm. I'm not sure that Hermione would up and fail her NEWTs if she found out, and surely it would be less stressful for everyone in the mean time. But I suppose Severus will do what he will, and there is no making him understand.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
I don't think she'd fail her NEWTs, but I think she might get distracted enough that she didn't get 106%, LOL. Over-protecting her future seems to be one of Severus's little fixations, thereby furthering the family pasttime. Thank you, again. :)
Oh, I missed two chapters! I need to put this story on alert since I apparently can't be trusted to see it when it comes up. Oh, that Umbridge makes me so mad! Leave it to the ministry to try and leave poor Teddy totally without because of who his guardian is.But I hope Andromeda was listening this time when Severus tried to reassure her. Wonderful man.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Umbridge is pretty evil, but she saves us writers from having to write someone else that way, if that's a benefit, LOL?I think Andromeda is starting to pay attention. She needs to stop being fixated on the other idea. Of course, fixation seems to be a family trait...Thank you for reviewing! I so appreciate it.
I thought sure he would tell Hermione, and what is it with wizards anyway? I'm like Andromeda -- touch me when I say 'no' and get hexed (or a knee to the groin), whichever works best. ^_^
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
My beta reader is a bit impatient with Severus over this chapter, too, but the poor fellow seems to be a bit chicken when it comes to confrontation with witches. I guess Stanley thought that if he pressured her she would just fall into his arms. I'm glad Andromeda was able to hex the guy, even if she didn't mean to. Thanks for the review!
it is understandable that Andromeda is unsecure in the marriage, I think Severus is behaving badly - he is in a way cheating on both women, I hope he soon will come to his senses
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Everyone's got a secret and a reason for thinking they need to keep it. He'll come to his senses... eventually. Thank you for the review!
Page turner. I've just read it all in one go! Finding it hard to gauge exactly how Severus feels - A's worries about him are strange, and, I'm assuming, due to her own lack of confidence, but there's a certain manipulative quality to him here that I distrust. Also, his relationship with Hermione is a bit of a question mark. I have to admit I'd prefer a HGSS but am now a bit torn over what should happen. I don't want H or A hurt. Looking forward to what you have planned :)
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you, again!
Page turner. I've just read it all in one go! Finding it hard to gauge exactly how Severus feels - A's worries about him are strange, and, I'm assuming, due to her own lack of confidence, but there's a certain manipulative quality to him here that I distrust. Also, his relationship with Hermione is a bit of a question mark. I have to admit I'd prefer a HGSS but am now a bit torn over what should happen. I don't want H or A hurt. Looking forward to what you have planned :)
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Well, he's not very good at the whole romance thing, and there's a secret or two he's keeping from everyone. I'm not going to tell you what will happen next, but I can promise a happy ending for everyone. My stories end that way with very little exception.Thank you for the lovely reviews!
Response from Tilly (Reviewer)
Yay! I love happy endings!ps - sorry about the duplicate posting :/
Ugh they should ban Narcissa and Druella from the house. Andromeda needs to get a backbone where those two are concerned. Love how Severus is so tender and loving with Andromeda. Can't wait for Andromeda to see that this is a real relationship, not temporary. Hope you update soon.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Wouldn't it be better if we could just decide not to be related to our relatives any more? LOL.Thank you for the lovely review! The next chapter had some major retooling and is in process right now. I hope to get it posted in a few days.
I love this already, I loved The Life and Times of Perseus,and your Andromeda. Both she and Severus deserve some happines, but we will see where you will lead them
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you, again! I hope you enjoy what happens to them as they recover from the war.
Beautiful chapter. I think that says it all. ^_^
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you. I'm so glad that you're enjoying this.
Aww, I love that Andi is finally letting herself go, but her emotions are bittersweet.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you! She's so sure she knows what will happen that she thinks she already knows the answers, so she won't ask the important questions.
finally!!!!!! at long last....... and draco taking care of teddy..... that's a nice touch
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
I couldn't wait any longer, myself. ;) Thank you for the review!
I liked where she looks up to the sky and can't decide if Perseus is pursuing or pulling away. So evocative. ^_^
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you! I'm so glad you saw that the way I hoped I wrote it. It was an important moment for her.
this was mean........... let them get close and let severus realise what she fears........
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
It is mean, and I know I'm on the edge of drawing it out too much. The next chapter will be different, I promise. Thanks for the review!
Ugh, Druella is still alive and as awful as always. Andromeda needs to get a backbone and kick Narcissa and Druella out and take the suitors with them. Severus has made his feelings clear. I hope Andromeda is listening.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Yeah... Druella is still alive when Harry and Sirius look at the family tree in OotP, so I guess she's still around, putting her nose where it's not wanted.Andromeda is listening to too many people. Given all the things they are all telling her, she might not understand it all.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Whoops! I meant to say thanks for the review, too! :)
Ah, schemes within plots within machinations. Good job. Can't wait for the next chapter. ^_^
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you! It's coming! It's true that everyone has an angle here. Most of them are Slytherins, after all. ;) I hope you continue to enjoy it!